Recently I did a quick social media post about giving and it got me thinking about all the ways we can give and the benefits of doing so. Here’s the post:

“Don’t you just love my new scarf given to me by my open-hearted client McCaela?! I love receiving but if you really want to feel fabulous try giving. You don’t have to spend money to give. The other day I let a man go in front of me in line at the grocery store because he was clearly in a big hurry. He was so grateful and it only cost me 5 minutes. There are lots of creative ways to give and the more you give without expectation the better you’ll feel. Really! Try it. 💜#giving#happiness#sharing#thanks#thankful#kindness#love#health#reiki #reikiofgreaterboston”

Wondering what’s in it for you? Here you go:

BENEFITS OF GIVING

Lower blood pressure

Increased self-esteem

Decreased depression

Lower stress levels

Longer life

Greater happiness

Strengthens faith in humanity, love and Higher Power

Evokes feelings of gratitude

It’s contagious and has a ripple effect in your own life and those of others

Adds meaning to your life

Gives a feeling of empowerment and control/making a difference

And I can’t promise this one, but for me, a feeling of euphoria!

Most of you will simply trust me when I tell you that all of these benefits have been shown in various studies. You know by now that I am not big on ‘proof’ when I know and feel the truth but if you are scientifically minded you can just google: ‘studies showing benefits of giving’ and Ta-da- there you’ll find all the proof you need. Or, even better, do your own experiment by trying some of the giving methods listed below and feel first hand the benefits!

There are many creative ways to give. Money is not needed. In fact I have given many times in the monetary form and continue to do so for causes dear to my heart but I don’t feel the rush that I do from a more intimate form of giving. For me, to be able to see the joy and happiness in the receiver’s eyes is the best part!

Ways To Give

Grant Forgiveness. This can be most difficult at times but the results are highly beneficial to all involved. It is still challenging for me but I’m working on it!

Volunteer

Donate Time

Babysitting

Elder Sitting

Donate Items You Are Not Using-Books/Clothes

Do Chores for someone struggling such as an elderly neighbor or one recovering from surgery.

Smile/Say Hi to everyone including strangers

Give compliments. I love to be complimented! Here are two of my favorite compliments: . 1.”You are a Warrior.” 2. “You are so brave.” These comments have stuck with me through the years and I rely on them when I’m low. I am grateful that those people spoke their thoughts.

Pet Sitting

Teach someone to read

Teach a skill at a jail or an after school program

Buy a stranger’s coffee (small amount of $ required)

Fill a parking meter that has expired (small amount of $ required)

Send a greeting card through the mail telling someone you’re thinking of them

Offer someone your seat if you take public transportation or when shuttling at the airport

Be present when someone is speaking to you and try listening without judgement

Help someone in need of assistance: changing a tire, car broken down on the highway,

Hold the door for someone

Offer to help put someones groceries in their car if they seem physically challenged. Occasionally this will insult someone but it’s ok because intentions are pure and most of the time people are so grateful.

Give a blessing/say a prayer for someone you notice that is clearly struggling. I go back and forth about giving money in this situation so I usually opt for the blessing.

Give some food to a homeless person. I always carry nuts, bananas and nectarines with me because I eat all day. These are easy and healthy items to share. (Hopefully they don’t have a nut allergy!)

Let someone go ahead of you in traffic. Ooh, not Bostonian like character!

Let someone go ahead of you in grocery line or department store line. This is so easy if they’ve got 1 item but challenge yourself here.

Pick up trash that is not your doing. Read moreabout being kind to the Earth.

Invite someone over for dinner or coffee/dessert

Amazon Smile -Click link to learn more. Part of your purchase is donated to your choice of charitable organization. Mine is Shamanic Education and Exchange.

Help someone cross the street

Help someone clear their car of snow/ice

Make people feel welcome and/or comfortable wherever you are as if you are the host of the Universe.

Give hugs!

That’s all I’ve got for now! I’m sure there are many more ways to give. Get creative and you won’t regret it. November 13th is designated as World Random Acts Of Kindness Day which is great to build awareness of these simple but fulfilling actions but for those of us who are already aware of the positive vibe they create in ourselves and the ripple they create in the world it seems criminal not to practice Random Acts of Kindness each and every day. Rock on awesome people!

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Benefits of Knowing Your Power Animal*

It would behoove you to pay attention to this call from your Power Animal because these animals can be of great help and guidance to you. And it’s FUN!

Spirit Animals can:

Help you identify parts of yourself that could be developed further and to understand yourself and your purpose more clearly.

2. Help to open your mind and heart.

3. Lead you in the right direction when making important decisions.

4. Connect you more deeply with earth, nature and your own instinct.

5. Make you feel comforted and supported. This is my favorite benefit and one that’s happened for me with each of my Power Animals. Once you acknowledge your Power Animal you will begin noticing it’s presence in your daily life. When I’m having a particularly hard time or difficult day and all of a sudden my Spirit Animal pops up in some form I feel better. It makes me smile and know that I am protected and being watched over. After that encounter I am able to deal much more effectively with any problems that come my way.

Ways to Identify Your Power Animal

First let me say that in my experience Power Animals come in and out of your life based on what you are going through and what you need in your life at the time. Throughout your life you may have many animal guides. To date I’ve had a Spirit connection with Owls, Hawks, Foxes, Hummingbirds and Dragonflies. I love them all, I’ve learned from them all and I expect to meet many others on my journey. Here are some methods you can use to find your Animal Guide:

You may already be familiar with your Power Animal! Have you always been particularly drawn to a certain animal or feel some kind of connection to them? Perhaps you’ve just always been intrigued or drawn to its Spirit for some reason. Revisit this affinity by trying to define what it is that draws you to it. Study this creature: watch it in its natural habitat if possible. If not then do some research on its habits and see what it can teach you.

Set an intention to meet your spirit animal. You can do this by saying or writing just that each day when you wake, “Today I intend to meet my Spirit Animal.” Then, stay open and alert to your surroundings and notice what images, feelings or animals show up. Give this process a few weeks to gel.

Before you go to sleep, ask to meet your power animal in your dreams. I would spend about 5 minutes requesting this. While doing this requesting you may start having animal images appear even before you’re asleep! When you wake in the morning write down the dreams/images that came to you (even if the dreams are not animal related) and see what comes up.

Spend some time outside preferably in a natural setting like a forest or meadow. If this is not possible just a walk outside somewhere will be fine. While outside, be aware of your surroundings. Notice all stimuli hitting your senses: smells, sounds, sights, etc. See what, if anything speaks to you or if any patterns emerge.

I bring you sweetness and miracles. Bzzz.

Try automatic writing. Simply sit down with pen and paper at the ready, close your eyes for a few minutes and set your intention to have your spirit animal totems revealed to you. Open your eyes and start writing. Let the pen flow. If you’re feeling stuck you can start with something like: ‘I’m sitting down to do some automatic writing with the intention of meeting my Spirit Animal.’ and just keep going. You may start writing about things seemingly not related to animals. That is ok. Go with the flow.

Experience a Shamanic Journey specifically a Quest to Find Your Spirit Animal. Here is one short Journey that you can start with.You can find others on line too if this one does not speak to you.

Come in for a Reiki Healingand prior to and during we will work with intentions surrounding the emergence of your Power Animal. Lots of Magic happens on the Reiki table!

You can identify what it is you are needing at this time and then search for an animal that exhibits that quality. For example if I am in need of courage right now I would search ‘spirit animals that exhibit courage’. Several will turn up (Tiger, Lion, Panther, Eagle, etc.) note which ones appear and start learning about each one to see if any resonate with you.

Take a free on-line test or 2 and see if the results make sense to you.Here’s oneyou can try. Most of them require your email to be supplied for results.

Once You Identify Your Animal

I can see in the dark. Hoot!

Once you have made a connection with your Spirit Animal you can strengthen the bond between you. Here are some ways you can do this:

Feathers and images on towels, plates and ornaments.

Keep your Animal in mind daily. To help you do this you can add pictures of your Animal in the spaces of your life: your car, your work place, your home, etc. Here are some of my personal reminders:

Wear clothes and accessories that bring you closer to your Animal. If your Guide is a bird you can wear some feather earrings or pin a few feathers somewhere on your jacket/shirt. If your guide has Fur you can get a faux piece to attach to a collar or something or add the Animal’s colors or fur patterns somewhere on or around you. A rabbit’s foot key chain is an example.

Study the lifestyle of your Animal and if possible act like them in some way. If your Animal is a snake you can get down on your belly and see the world from that perspective, slither around a bit!

Come to a private Yoga Classand we can create a pose or 2 or 3 dedicated to your special Animal. If your Animal is a Wolf we might incorporate some howling at the moon or if an Eagle we might to some flapping of wings and flying!

Write and/or recite a daily prayer to your animal. Here is an example to the Badger (which is my husband’s guide at this time-ahh, I’m scared. He is fierce!):

*As you read more you will see that some people differentiate between Spirit, Power and Totem Animal definitions. These differences do not concern me but may be of interest to you. I see them all as magical connections to spirit.

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Most people come into my office for services because they are feeling ‘off’ in some way and know they can be better. A majority are stressed and anxious, have trouble sleeping, etc. but when I ask them if they’ve tried meditation this is how they look at me!

Me? Meditate? I Don’t Think So!

Meditation gets a bad rap in some circles with people believing that sitting still in lotus pose like a Buddha is a requirement. I used to think that too and being a fairly active person with a penchant for large muscle movement, this pose did not appeal to me either but this notion is quite far from the truth. There are many different and fun ways to meditate and still reap the benefits!

Despite all these life improving benefits, people come up with excuses, fears and reasons not to participate in meditation.

Some Common Reasons People Give for Why They ‘Can’t’ Meditate

I can’t sit still

I can’t clear my mind

I don’t have time

I don’t have a quiet place

Quiet makes me anxious

It’s boring

Addressing each of the above:

There is no need to sit still to meditate. There are many meditation methods that involve movement/activity. Try Walking Meditation, Vinyasa (Flow)Yoga, Tea Ceremony Meditation, Chanting.

Even master meditators have trouble clearing their minds sometimes. Having a clear mind is not a requirement for meditation. In fact I welcome the distracting thoughts because they give me an opportunity to practice placing my focus back on what I’m doing. Meditational focal points could be the breath, a mantra, a candle flame, etc. This is the practice – noticing the unclear mind and bringing your focus back to attention, over and over. Meditation is practice not perfection. (The practice of meditation is perfection though!)

No time? Nonsense!

NO Time? Nonsense!

You don’t have to meditate for long periods to reap the rewards. To beginners I recommend 5 minutes in the morning and 5 minutes at night. 10 minutes a day. I know you have that available to you and if you cannot make that time for your sanity and improved quality of life then you are not quite ready to progress in this area of your life. At this time, there is something about being unsettled/unhealthy that is more compelling to you than grounded living. This is ok! We are all at different places in our journeys. Clients who give the reason of no time for meditation seem to find meditating while lying down in bed just before sleep at night and/or before they get up in the morning an easy way to ease into it all.You may not be able to get a quiet place to meditate at home because you live with noisy people or people who demand your attention. Look elsewhere. Perhaps there is a place outside somewhere, in a park or your backyard that will offer more peace for you. Maybe at work there is a place you can go to at lunch break – an empty office? Eventually you will not need pure quiet to meditate. Being able to achieve calm among the noise is the ultimate goal so practicing with a bit of a ruckus can be beneficial.

Uncomfortable with quiet? See #4.

With so many meditation methods there is bound to be at least one that will pique and keep your interest!

I believe beneath these excuses is a fear of discovering deep truths. This fear is usually not conscious. It can be scary looking in the mirror of your mind but it is the only way to move beyond the crap on a more permanent basis.

Consistency is key. I find 5 minutes a day better than 30 minutes once a week. You may not notice the benefit immediately (but you may!), either way, if you continue, you will notice how strong, grounded, calm, level-headed, compassionate, etc. you’ve become and you will need to go buy and wear a shirt that says, ‘SPIRITUAL WARRIOR!’

There are too many types of meditation to list here but here are:

Some of the More Popular Meditation Methods

Metta (Loving Kindness)-I love this one because I get to send myself some love first! Use loving statements starting with yourself as recipient. 1. May I be/feel: “fill in the blank”: happy, loved, peaceful, etc. 2. Next think of some one you like or are thankful for use the same statement with them in mind: May they be “fill in the blank”. 3. Someone you feel neutral about. 4. Someone who pushes your buttons, disturbs your peace. 5. All beings/The Universe/The Earth.

Mantra– You can use traditional Mantras like ‘Sat Nam’ or I am Truth. I like “I am Light’ and here’s a beautiful song about that for you to enjoy and absorb. You can also make up your own Mantra that means something to you like: My heart is open and free or I am One with All.

Sound-Do this lying down or seated. Allow all sounds to enter your awareness and let them be.

Guided/Visualization-Use a meditation app like Head Space or Insight Timer. Candle Flame– Soften your gaze and focus on a candle flame. You may receive messages or see images as time passes. Bring your focus back to the flame over and over again as you notice your mind wandering.

Mindfulness-In short, become aware of each movement, sound, thought, etc. Watch all as the observer.

Chanting- Chant along with some traditional sanskrit prayers. Here’s an example. It’s ok if you mess up the words just feel it all and open your throat.

Breathwork-Simply watch your breath come in and out (without losing focus on the breath). It’s harder than it sounds. You can also find a breathing pattern that feels good to you. Square breathing, for example, is a basic breathing technique that is not too difficult to work with.

Journaling-Write anything! Your dreams, your thoughts, ideas, disturbances, things that you’re grateful for, goals, feelings. Have fun! Always have fun.Engaging in an activity that absorbs you: working on a puzzle, a math problem, dancing, singing any art form or creative practice. Merge and become one with the activity.

C’mon now! Pick one and just give it a try for me. For yourself! If you’d like a little bit of guidance book a private session with me (it’s the 8th option down on that link) and you’ll be on your way in no time.

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I’ve been feeling a bit rejected lately. Here are 3 recent examples and how I shook it off.

Most of the people in my life, including my business clients are open hearted, open minded and highly intelligent. I’ve designed my life this way. These are the people who I attract. Once in a while though I meet people who have their hearts heavily armored. They are defensive and closed down and though they may come see me regularly for Reiki and other services I sometimes feel that I’ve failed them for not being able to help them crack open fully.

I was asking for guidance about this issue today as I was driving home, asking, ‘please god and healing spirits, help me with (Name). What can I do to help further move her along in her healing? ‘ And just then a commercial truck passed me with a big sign on the back saying:

Message: Love It And Love It Again!

I think it was some kind of soda advertisement but for me it was THE answer to my posed question. Immediately I relaxed and smiled because I knew I was doing just that and that was enough.

Taking it further I said a Thank You to this special client for allowing me the opportunity to experience this spirit communication. And then I sent her blessings.

2. Trying to help certain family members get ahead of their aging and illnesses with suggestions and offerings of help continue to be dismissed. It is disheartening to me. I see them failing and know things that should be done to prevent further damage but no, they choose to ignore my suggestions. So I brought myself to my meditation space and sat with my tears and asked, “What can I do about this situation? What can I do to help them, to make sure they stay as well as possible?” Then I listened and what I ‘heard’ was,

Message: “Help those who want your help.”

Yes! For some reason this made perfect sense to me and gave me such comfort. I do have so many people who come to me wide open for help and that is where I will focus instead of lamenting over these few people who do not value my knowledge or intentions.

3. I’m such a lover. I simply love everyone and I don’t hide it. I hug strangers.(Hugging is Healthy!) Once in a while someone moves me deeply and I just can’t help but to let them know it. If I meet someone and their eyes are mesmerizing I will tell them so, if their bodies are just out of this world and they knock me out with their beauty, if their energy is uplifting, I will say so. I can’t help it! I don’t want to marry them or intrude on their lives, I don’t want to sleep with them (usually) but I simply feel a connection to everyone because we are humans on this earth at the same time. Because of that alone we have a great deal in common! Most people enjoy these compliments, some just think I’m a crazy old woman and others I believe are intimidated by me and/or my honesty. This last one makes me feel sad and rejected.

HUGS RULE!

Over the last 3 weeks or so this ‘intimidated reaction’ occurred a couple of times. Once again I turned to Spirit with my tears and my questions, ‘Why don’t they like me? I’m so nice! Who wouldn’t like me?! Why are they so scared of me when I’m honest and being myself? Should I change my behavior, pretend I am someone I’m not?, etc.’ I was not getting an immediate answer to these ponderings so I started considering how I could change my behavior to make others more comfortable. I noticed also that I was also ‘sour grapesing’ it saying ‘f–k them, they must be wimpy to be scared of honesty, etc. But I knew this was a coping mechanism not worthy of me so I continued to ask Spirit for assistance throughout the day.

I went to bed without any communication from spirit and began downloading books to read. My answer came from the first book I sampled, Intentional Dissonance by Iain S. Thomas.

Message: “Never apologize for how you feel…The sun doesn’t apologize for being the sun. The rain doesn’t say sorry for falling.”

There you go. I must be who I am. We all must be who we are even though it can be difficult at times. We must be true to ourselves! Ok, so I guess those people just aren’t meant to be in my life at this time. I let them and their reactions to me go. Bye-bye!

Receiving messages from higher power makes me feel so much better. Sometimes the answers take a while to arrive so until I receive the word I have found that these other things help me to keep up my spirits:

So, when you’re feeling rejected or lost, I recommend asking for guidance from Spirit (whatever that means to you) and then listenwith wide open senses. This takes practice and patience but answers will come to you and you will be guided and comforted if you stick with it. Feel free to message me if you have questions!

In simple terms, Chakras are energy centers, vortexes or wheels in and around our bodies where energy gets processed.Take a peek at this earlier writing to learn chakra basics and information on the Root/1st Chakra.

The treatments listed below will help you begin to release shame and guilt and be able to come more fully present in your body resulting in a freer, more authentic existence.

I am the target text.

Treatments

Balancing the Sacral Chakra allows us to begin to release fear, guilt and shame that have either been programmed into our lives or learned some other way. In balancing this Chakra we begin to feel free to be human at the most basic level, physically, sensually, creatively, passionately and sexually.

Swivel Those Hips. Let Loose!

Yoga Postures:

Kapotasana (Pigeon)

Supta Bahdda Konasana (Reclining Butterfly)

Dahnurasana (Bow)

Bhujangasana (Cobra)

Dance- Swivel Hips, Move to the music

If you’re not familiar with these poses you can look them up on-line or schedule a Yoga session and we can play with all of these!

Crystals:

Carnelian

Orange Kyanite

Sun Stone

Tiger’s Eye

Amber

Carry one or more of these stones with you when you’re feeling closed down. They will help open you up to creativity, life and feeling.

To balance Chakras with Reiki we will do an assessment of each of the 7 major chakras by dowsing with a pendulum. Next, crystals will be tested for compatibility with your body and placed at specific points on your body/or table and a guided meditation and Reiki session will ensue. A Chakra Balancing session takes about 75 minutes. A specific session working on 1 specific Chakra can take place in the same amount of time and will also include practicing Yoga Poses and chants. You can make your appointment here. After your session you will be given some ‘homework’ to maintain the chakras that were shown to be out of balance.

Click link above to hear this chanting. You can simply listen or join in on the chant for a more intense vibrational healing. I like to lie down and let the sounds wash over me. It’s an hour long recording but you don’t need to listen to the whole thing. Just see how it feels for you. I’d give it at least 10 minutes.

Aromatherapy:

Try one of these fragrances in the form of essential oils (use in a diffuser or rub the oils directly on your skin) or incense (burn) when trying to open yourself up to more feeling, creativity and acceptance.

Clary Sage
Jasmine
RoseSandalwoodYlang-Ylang

Essential Oils can be purchased at Whole Foods or on-line. Be sure they are Pure essential oils.

Meditation & Breathwork:

Left nostril breathing called Ida Nadi breathing will help to open up the second chakra as it brings forth moon (ruler of the tides, oceans and all the water in our bodies) energy. Before you start you may want to blow your nose to make it as clear as possible. Begin in a comfortable seated position with your back erect, head in line with your spine. Close your eyes or at least soften their gaze and then close off your right nostril with the first two fingers of your right hand. Now inhale and exhale through the left nostril only trying your best to take full, complete inhales filling the whole chest cavity and even up to your throat up with breath. On the exhale release all the stale breath full of toxins by squeezing the tummy muscles to press out all the air. Repeat until you feel ready to stop.

Swirling, Sacral Energy

Try this simple Sacral Meditation to aide in balancing your 2nd chakra. Lie down on your back. Don’t you like this already?! Close your eyes and allow your body to become soft and heavy. Now on your next inhale imagine a vibrant orange light entering your lower abdomen and permeating through to your lower back. Your whole Sacral area is full of swirling, energizing orange light/energy. Simply notice how it feels to you. When you feel done, on an exhale, shrink the light down to dot size and then let it finally disappear.

Play:

Suck up all the sweetness and juiciness of life! This is the crux of the Sacral Chakra. Find and engage in activities that bring you joy! Is there an activity you loved to do in your childhood that you have not engaged in as an adult? Here are some activities people (including myself) find helpful in getting back in touch with that free spirit most of us embodied as a child:

Mantra:

You can repeat this statement (mantra) a few times before you get up and before you go to bed, saying each word slowly and meaningfully. As you work with this or any mantra you may find your inner knowing wanting to change some of the words to make it more resonant for you. Go with that!

Some Causes of Sacral Imbalance

Coldness

Denial of child’s feelings

Emotional abuse

Emotional manipulation

Familial alcoholism

Incest

Lack of rules/boundaries

Neglect

Physical abuse

Rejection

Religious or moral severity

Restriction of movement

Sexual abuse

Associations for the Second or Sacral Chakra:

Developmental Stage: 6 Months to 2 Years

Sanskrit Name: Svadishthana – Meaning Sweetness.

Location: 3 inches below the naval.

Color: Orange

Physical organs: Kidney, Bladder, Reproductive Organs

Key Note: D

Sense: Taste

Element: Water

Sound: VAM

Endocrine System: Testicles and Ovaries

Now, go get your silly on!

May you be open to receive and relish in all of the sweetness, joy and love the world has to offer you.

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I was remiss in not acknowledging World Mental Health Day this past Tuesday, October 10th especially since some of my favorite peeps are living with Mental Health issues!

This day was established by the World Health Organization 25 years ago in order to promote awareness of this issue.

I’m not big on labels. I know I’m not suppose to use the word ‘crazy’ but I’m very close to this community if not part of it and they know I mean no disrespect. People are sometimes labeled ‘crazy’ or ‘Mentally Ill’ just because they don’t follow expectations of society. That is just pure nonsense!

Really, who’s to say who is Mentally Ill or Mentally Healthy? I was providing Reiki on a Locked Psychiatric Floor today. One of the patients said to me, “Oh you’re so beautiful but you need a better hairdresser to make you even more beautiful!” Ha ha! This statement would not be acceptable in the workplace but Does speaking the truth make you ill? If we all told and lived our truths a bit more, less of us would be unable to cope. I told her I would look into a new stylist and that her I loved her for the compliment and then gave her a big hug.

Another patient told me about some visions he was having of Jesus and energy exchanges and one other said he was my uncle Rob reincarnated. I don’t dismiss either of these statements quickly. Some of most brilliant, sensitive and highly evolved people in the world (and the next) believe and have experienced Jesus, energy visions and reincarnation memories. Yet these people I meet with are in the hospital needing care both medicinal and psychiatric because they are out of balance and their state of mind has too much control over their behaviors which are not able to be absorbed in the community. This imbalance does not allow them to be the best that they can be in this world and that is when intervention is needed.

If you think you are immune to Mental Health Issues think again. Really. Think again. I was that person once upon a time. I thought there was a big division between ‘us and them’ and then- bam -just like that it hit me. Down, down, down the deep, dark rabbit hole I went. Even now if I am not fastidious about my spiritual practices and vigilant about using only organic products I start sinking. The trick is to be hyper-aware of your feelings and state of mind so that any little imbalance or discomfort alerts you to take healing action whatever that may be for you. These healing modalities vary for each person. For some, medication is needed, others need more sleep, some meditation, an outing with friends, etc. The healing options are endless. Sometimes we are tempted to wait this imbalance/discomfort out thinking and hoping and praying that it will go away but if you have a chronic issue it is not likely to go away and delaying treatment is not a good idea. Don’t wait until you are in the depths of despair or at the height of a manic episode to reach for help.

People wait and are reluctant to discuss their experiences with Mental Illness because there is a stigma to it still in some circles. This is what comes to mind for some people when they hear someone is struggling with Mental Illnesses like OCD, anxiety, Bi-Polar, etc.

The reality of this image does exist but it is extreme. More often it is the face of me or you, of your mother, friend or spouse struggling in some way, still functioning but not optimally.

Everyday I work with clients who are struggling with Mental Health Issues. I salute them for knowing that they need to address the problems, for admitting that they need help, for being brave enough for reaching out and dragging themselves into my office week after week to work on themselves in order to be the best that they can be.

All the services I provide help people (including myself) work on becoming the best possible version of themselves. Yoga, Meditation, Life Coaching, Reiki, Crystal Healing, a combination of aforementioned plus education via reading and journaling are all a part of the health journey that I have found lifesaving.

Of course I am not claiming that these things alone will necessarily eradicate mental illness although it does happen. (See this movie documentary if you can: Heal to see just how powerful the mind and alternative health methods are in improving our minds and bodies.) Some advanced and deeply rooted issues need medical and medicinal interventions but all these Alternative Health Services are a great support for the person suffering and will give them a chance to take some control in their own healing process. It is important that we not give control of our healing away to anyone. The patient knows, deep down – sometimes way deep down – what they need and certainly they should play a part in their own healing.

That is one major goal I have with all of my clients – to get them to touch their own inner knowledge, their higher knowledge, their intuition. Through all of these methods and practices we move closer to that higher power we all possess but have let go amidst the craziness and conditioning of the world.

According to the World Health Organization, NIMH and APA these are recent statistics on this issue:

Mental Health is clearly a major issue which won’t be fixed quickly or easily but we can do our little part by making ourselves aware of the prevalence of Mental Illness and encouraging people suffering with it at whatever level to talk about it without shame, to reach out for help and to have hope for healing.

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These Reflecting Globes are so beautiful! They’ve always intrigued me and I put a couple in my garden long before I knew their history. Finally I had time to read a little about them and thought I’d share what I learned.

History & General Information

Gazing Globes were first introduced in 13th century Venice by artisan glass blowers.

Soon after they were made popular in Germany. King Ludwig of Bavaria so loved gazing balls that he had them made to be hung in trees and this is said to have led to the use of glass baubles as Christmas tree ornaments.

Today it is rarer to find those made of glass due to its fragile nature. Stainless steel and other metals are used more frequently but still have the reflecting surface that is so inherent to their charm.

These intriguing pieces are known by many names:

Butler Balls

Chrome Ball

Fairy Balls

Garden Globe

Gazing Balls

Globes of Happiness

Lawn Balls

Mirror Balls

Protective Balls

Witch Balls

Yard Globes

They come in all sizes from mini (2 inches in diameter) to Gigantic (118’ feet in diameter), the latter namely in the Parc Villette, Paris.

Parc de la Villette, Paris

There is also a very fun globe in Millennium Park, Chicago called ‘The Bean’. This one is 33 by 66 by 42 feet. So cool.

Millennium Park, Chicago

Purposes

In addition to making your garden/yard look pretty these globes have had several other uses. I’ve highlighted my favorites.

Alert the servant when guests might need attention such as a drink refill (Butler Ball). The reflective globe would be placed strategically on a dining room sideboard so servants could remain outside the room and still see when service was required.

Add color to your garden or lawn

Attract birds and butterflies

Provide a quiet spot for meditation. Some believed that staring into the ball made the gazer become one with the universe.

Protect the property owner from witches. The witch would see her reflection in the globe and be frightened away before casting spell.

Ward off Ghosts, Disease and Evil Spirits

Attract friendly spirits and faeries and bringing good fortune to the home

And finally they (only the steel ones) fertilize your garden naturally! Amazing. The steel in the ball attracts magnetic charges and hence has a high degree of nitrogen in the air there. This is how we fertilize. This process is called Electroculture! So go buy some Globes and get rid of your pesticides.

These Gazing Balls are different from CrystalBalls in several ways (hollow vs. solid, any color vs. clear, etc.) but they remind me of them and I think that accounts for some of my affinity toward them. There is something mystical about them for sure. I think they would be a nice addition to a sacred space or altar too. Check them out for yourself! Let me know what you think.